Alternatives to RingCentral

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For businesses that need their own independent voice over internet protocol (VoIP), cloud private branch exchange (PBX) and phone systems, RingCentral is a popular option. It offers a cloud-based system with a range of features, and best of all, it's very reliable and easy to setup. Plenty of the most widely used apps are integrated into RingCentral, including Dropbox, Oracle, Desk and many more.

If RingCentral has one major drawback, it's that the phone system is intended for business users. Those who are looking for a phone system for individual use won't be able to take advantage of RingCentral's full range of features. Some of the provider's most basic features are the ability to choose from various phone numbers, cloud PBX service, a user-friendly call management system, voicemail with custom greetings, business SMS and internet faxing.

Anyone can start using RingCentral by registering for an account and using the demo for a free trial period. If the user wants the full range of RingCentral features, there are three plans available – RingCentral Standard for $24 per month, RingCentral Premium for $34 per month and RingCentral Enterprise for $44 per month. Each plan has its own limit as far as minutes and number of users in online meetings are concerned. Although RingCentral is an affordable, feature-rich option, there are also several excellent alternatives to it available.

Grasshopper

This is a virtual phone system, and it's effective not only for getting a free number, but also for managing calls online. The virtual system has an intuitive interface that's easy to navigate from the start, and it's helpful for businesses that have a large call volume and must keep those calls organized. A new phone number is an option through Grasshopper, but businesses and individuals can also keep their current numbers and port them over. Read Grasshopper Reviews to learn more.

Google Voice

Google has released quite a few useful applications and tools over the years, and Google Voice is no exception. All the user needs are an internet connection and a Google account to use this service, which allows them to choose their own phone number and search for specific number combinations. The user also has the option of porting over an existing phone number. Whatever number they choose as their Google Voice number, it can ring any devices connected to their account, or they can set up other call preferences. Best of all, Google offers this service free of charge, and Google's servers tend to be very reliable, meaning service is unlikely to go down.

FreedomPop

This company offers free phone services for domestic calls, and international calling comes at a very low rate, or the user can get a package of minutes to use internationally. In addition to its free phone services, FreedomPop also has free internet plans available. The basic FreedomPop plan includes 200 minutes, 500 text messages and 500 MB of internet usage. It's available for use with mobile devices.

Line2

Those who simply need a second phone line, whether it's for personal reasons or business use, will get exactly that with Line2. This other phone number can be used with a smartphone or a small business network, and Line2 provides the user with an entire cloud-based business phone system.

magicJack

With magicJack, which is a web-based phone service, the user can get their own anonymous phone number and make calls to people around the world through VoIP. A magicJack device, such as the popular magicJack GO, is the only item needed to use the service, and there's a low annual fee of $9.99. MagicJack has an app available on both Android and iOS, and there's also unlimited texting to phone numbers in the United States. Overall, this service is a great way to get rid of a monthly phone bill. Read magicJack Reviews to learn more.

Ooma

For free VoIP calling, Ooma is another popular choice, and the provider has both personal and business plans available. Ooma has a range of features that make it an attractive option, which include encrypted calls every time, wire speed QoS, adaptive redundancy and HD voice calling for excellent quality. Reliability is also a strong point of this provider, and users don't need to worry about their phone system going down. Read Ooma Business Reviews to learn more.

Voiceably

With Voiceably, the user can get their own local phone number, which they can then use with their business phone system or even using an independent cloud call center. The setup process can be completed in a matter of minutes, and once that's done, the user can take business calls from anywhere on the planet, as long as Voiceably's services are available there. One significant benefit of choosing Voiceably is that there's no extra hardware requirements, saving the user from spending money on purchasing or maintaining hardware.

com

com certainly has the right URL for its business, but that's far from its only selling point. This company issues local and toll-free phone numbers to help customers prepare their virtual business phone systems. It is a paid service, and customers get all their calling and texting services in the cloud. Phone.com is built with business users in mind, and being able to choose from local and toll-free numbers gives those users options.

Telzio

Businesses of all sizes can benefit from using Telzio, a cloud-based business phone service, but it's especially helpful for the very large businesses. The starting price for Telzio service is only $1 per month, and its extensive list of features includes calling and texting, call forwarding and conference calling. Telzio is very easy to understand, not overly complicated and the company is transparent regarding pricing and how everything works.

Zaplee

Small business owners will want to consider Zaplee if they're looking for a cloud-based virtual PBX phone system. The user can build their own system for the low price of $10 per month for each line. Not only is Zaplee user-friendly but it is also compatible with all the popular VoIP platforms. For example, it's quick and easy to integrate Zaplee with Skype. The price and simplicity of Zaplee make it an excellent choice for small business owners who need to keep costs down and seamlessly integrate their virtual phone system with what they're already using.

Talkray

When it comes to free messengers, Talkray stands out for having both calling and chatting services available. It offers file sharing, unlimited calling, voice messages and text messages. There is also free group and international messaging available. Although Talkray can be used for business purposes, where it excels is personal use, as it's ideal for friends and family who wish to keep in touch with each other.

CallingVault

Many customers need privacy for their personal or business communications, and CallingVault is as secure and private as it gets. Customers can use it for standard calling and conferences, knowing that all communications will be kept safe. If the user wants to keep a phone number private, they can get a unique phone number from CallingVault and use it for calls and texts. This phone number can also work well as a second phone line.

eVoice

Businesses that need an internet-based telecommunication service can get just that with eVoice, which is an especially good fit for businesses that are medium to large in terms of size. The user has the option of getting new phone numbers or porting over existing numbers. Another benefit with eVoice is that it doesn't require any additional hardware. There is a 30-day free trial for eVoice, giving the user a chance to check out all the features and see if it's a good fit for their needs.